Japanese Fish of Love

The carp that travelled to Japan from China, gained tremendously in colour and beauty: thanks to the Japanese breeders! And it is this 'Brocaded carp' that the world knows as Koi today. Literally 'Koi' means 'carp' (both common and ornamental species) in Japanese. The ornamental domesticated fish that we know as Koi is actually 'nishikigoi' in Japanese. Whatever the history and linguistics facts be, for us Koi is the beautiful, colourful, adaptable, domesticated pond fish.

Before we start talking in detail about the Koi fish keeping, let's first look at some of the interesting benefits of having a Koi pond or say having a Koi in your pond (Koi co-exists well with other fish. So you can keep it with the ones you already have).

** It will add a spectrum of beauty to your garden environment.

You will be able to establish a special bond with your Koi. They will feed from your hand once they gain confidence in you. Needless to say, this is the ultimate that one can expect from a pet. And a 'rare ultimate' when it comes to fish.

** If you are (or will be) a breeder, a Koi means thousands!

Believe in Feng Shui? Koi is believed to bring good luck.

Some symbolism...? Koi is considered to be a symbol of love and friendship in Japan.

** Koi is 'elite'. Yes... keeping Koi is a status symbol; your garden's style statement.

Some other benefits that do not have any scientific evidence but have been talked about by Koi owners are:

* A Koi pond adds value to your property. If you are looking to sell yours, adding a Koi pond might increase the rates and the possibility of selling quickly.

* Spending some time by a Koi pond has been reported to be a great stress reliever.

If you are venturing into the Koi hobby, it is worth noting that rearing Koi is not like having any other simple ornamental fish in an aquarium or a fish tank. Even if you do not want to be a breeder and are interested in keeping Koi solely for ornamental purpose, some research and preparation is a must. You will need a pond with proper size and systems in place. Seasonal changes would require some adjustments in order to keep Koi healthy. For example, feeding Koi requires to be 'almost stopped' in peak winters. All these aspects need to be taken care of and a fair degree of expertise is required at every step from selecting your Koi to creating Koi specific conditions.

Also, Koi is an expensive affair. The fish itself will cost you some handsome bucks. And you can't keep one. You will have to have a group of at least three of them; as experts recommend. You will also have to spend on building a pond or enlarging an existing one to suit the needs of Koi. Also, you will need to install proper purification systems and pumps, which is again a fairly big investment.

Another important aspect to be considered is the safety of your Koi. This fish being extremely attractive is an easy attention seeker for the aerial predators. So you will need to grow trees in order to block their vision. Also, the depth of the pond will need to be increased not only as required by Koi but also as a safe guard against cranes and other such hunters, if they are a problem in your area. You might also need to use nets over the pond.

Three Effective Ways to Protect Your Ornamental Fish From Predatory Herons

As any koi or goldfish garden owner knows, an unwelcome visit from a hungry heron can completely annihilate a fish population. Furthermore, heron activity can create additional problems, including the transfer of fish diseases, traumatic stress on the surviving fish, and damage to the pond liner. If you have ever encountered one of these massive birds of prey, you know that they are tenacious and extremely persistent. Once they have discovered your pond, they can be expected to return again and again until they have killed or eaten all of your prized fish. Fortunately, there are several measures you can take to protect your koi and goldfish from these aggressive avian predators.

Create a barrier over your pond

The most effective method of protecting your fish from heron predation is to cover your pond with netting. However, over-the-pond netting is not invisible and can distract from the aesthetic appearance of the pond. When appearance is an issue, some pond owners will opt to use pond netting after the threat has been discovered to deter future visits.

Create a hiding place for your fish

Fish are very reactive to herons and will instinctively try to hide when they recognize their presence. Floating plants, both natural and artificial, make excellent hiding places. You can also try a tunnel-shaped net that rests securely on the bottom of your pond, available at pond supply stores.

Discourage the heron from visiting your pond

Herons are territorial creatures and are known to fish alone. That's why imitation herons, in the form of statues, are a popular fixture near many koi ponds. However, herons are much too clever to be fooled by a motionless "bird", and usually return after the ruse has been discovered. A better option is a motion-activated device that emits water or sound when the heron approaches. These devices have been shown to be very effective at frightening herons away and discouraging their return.

The method you use to protect your pond will depend on the size, depth, and location. To get the best results, you may need to combine several of these techniques.

Tropical Ornamental Fish Aquaria - Information You Should Know

Tropical Ornamental fish aquaria are always an attractive add to your decoration design. Moreover, fish are marvelous pets that are liked by many. Are you new to this hobby? Are you planning on installing your first aquarium?

Well, first of all you must choose which types of tropical fish you are going to pet. Different types of ornamental fish require different types of aquaria. Moreover, take care that your chosen fish pets could actually co-live in the same aquarium. The internet is full of websites reviewing all types of aquaria, so just spare some time and you will find what suits you.

Ornamental fish are like any living creature; they breathe, eat and excrete waste products. A convenient oxygen pump is an important element in the health and survival of your pet fish. The power supply of the pump should be secured in an area to prevent accidental unplugging which can kill your fish in a few hours. Ordinary tap water is not suitable for fish if used as it is. Ask your aquarium providers for tap water treatments that would render it suitable for ornamental fish. Fish food is diverse; hence, don't forget to find a food that is edible to your fish.

Many researchers have concluded that more than 85% of tropical fish health problems are related to bad water conditions of their aquaria. Just like every living being, ornamental fish excrete waste products. These waste products disintegrate to produce ammonia and nitrates which are toxic products that can decrease the life expectancy of your pet fish. Aquarium filters contain bacteria that breakdown these waste products and convert them to other non-toxic substances. Moreover, periodic renewal of the water of the aquarium helps in clearing any accumulating waste products. Many commercial kits are available for online sale and can help you determine the levels of nitrates and ammonia in your aquarium water. Some aquarium plants can be useful in decreasing the levels of aquarium water toxic substances.

Feeding ornamental fish needs some carefulness. Fish should be fed small quantities at a time. Don't think that you show more love and caring by giving your fish too much to eat. On the contrary, an aquarium that is full of food is probably an unhealthy environment to your fish. Piled food is acted upon by bacteria and can yield toxic products. Moreover, the accumulated food can react with the fish waste products and result in more levels of ammonia and nitrates.

Ornamental fish petting is a rather interesting hobby. If you are planning to install an aquarium at your place, take some time to learn basic aquarium related instructions so that you can enjoy the hobby of a life.

The Importance Of Your Fish Tank Filters

Fish tank filters and heaters are two of the most important components of a successful aquarium setup. Filters are what keeps the water from becoming stagnant and lifeless. Filters have three purposes. Filters are the breeding ground for the special bacteria that works with the chemicals produced by the fish waste. This is crucial for the biological cycles of your tank. Filters also remove the debris from the water, and finally, some filters allow you to place active carbon and other chemicals when they are needed in the tank.

There are different kinds of filters: you have the external filters, and the internal filters, and either type can be used in salt water or freshwater aquariums.

In the category of internal filters, you will find the under gravel filters that are normally used in freshwater tanks. An under gravel filter is a raised grate on the bottom of the tank, under the gravel or any other substrate you want to use. This grate has two holes where you will attach a pair of vertical plastic tubes. These tubes work with either a power head or a bubbler inside them. The way it works, is that the water is forced to flow through the gravel to go under the grate, where it will go up the tube and into the tank. The gravel itself works as the filter media. It collects the leftover food and waste.

Another kind of internal filter is a sump tank placed below the main tank. This kind of filter is used for salt water tanks. It works like this: the water from the fish tank spills into an overflow, which has a pipe leading to the sump. The sump contains filter media and a pump, which sucks the water in and then pushes it through a tube back into the main tank. The disadvantage of this kind of filter is that it can be expensive and it can also be noisy.

The preferred kind of filter is the external kind. There is the kind that you can hang from the back of the tank, and the kind that goes underneath, in the stand. All the filtering happens there. The water gets sucked out into the filter, passes through the filter media and goes back into the tank. This type of filter can be expensive, but it is also the most effective and low maintenance. You just need to make sure that the filter is large enough for your tank size. It has to be able to circulate ten times the volume of water per hour. A 75 gallon fish tank needs a filter that can circulate 750 gallons per hour.

Most of these filters can be readily found in stores and online, but the more expensive external filters, since they need custom made tanks, are harder to find in a general pet store. It might be worth it to save that money and get a good quality external filter.

White Koi and Koi Pond Algae

A koi is a carp that is being bred because of its color. The whole breeding craze started in Japan during the 1800's. Back then only two colors were bred. A century later, more colors became available and continue to increase up to the present day. Koi eventually won the title for being the most beautiful fish in the world. The colors are red, white, black, yellow, blue, gray, and green. But the most famous of them is the white.

Growing kois is an expensive affair. The pond alone has to be wide and deep enough to cater to a certain number of koi population. Other requirements include location, security, and devices that regulate the environment of the pond to ensure the kois grow in the best way possible. Kois grow up to 3 ft so for serious growers, they need a serious pond to grow them in. A fish tank will not suffice unless it is big enough for the koi to swim and grow in. Even though kois don't school much, it's the size of each one that has to be taken into consideration. Necessary consideration with the location must be taken to avoid Koi Pond Algae from growing as well.

The white koi is known for its visibility in murky waters. It's body is attractive due to the trait of being quite reflective. Kois under this category are the: sanke, kohaku, beko, and ogon. The only kois considered to be true white kois are probably the sanke and the kohaku because of having colored markings against the white background. But the bekko and ogon are not totally white making them similar to other breeds.

As for kohakus, 50 to 70 percent of their bodies are covered in red markings while the sanke is covered in black and red markings against a white background. There is a set of standards that koi enthusiasts follow in order to determine the kind of koi and these are the criteria.

The markings have to be of a particular color. In the case of a kohaku, red. The sanke has to be red and black.

Again in case of a kohaku, its body has to have markings and these markings must cover at least half to 70% of its body. The rest should be pure white.
The colors must follow a symmetrical pattern. When being observed, the colors on one side should reflect at the opposite side.

The color should be as deep as possible. A light color hue means the fish has a defect.
Color edges have to be clear especially on edges where the colors meet with the white background.
Since it's a fish, it should be covered in scales.

A koi that does not meet these standards for a white koi is disqualified. They are considered defective and not pure in breed. Only a few breeders know this fact and this had resulted to the breeding of unqualified white kois. Since kois are popular, these fishes are expensive but they make excellent pets to decorate the yard. These also make as excellent food source as well as income source for fish farmers.

What You Can Tell From Koi Colors From Photos

If you are interested in buying a koi and plan on buying them from a grower located quite far, you need to see what he has in stock first before making a decision. So the grower sends you pictures of koi. Any breeder would expect any person interested in koi to know how to distinguish them apart from other fishes. If you have to look at the photos, you need to distinguish the type, this is your first stop.

Now for the koi types. There are a wide variety of koi, 15 of which are common. You need to check the characteristics, each variety has its own and if you are skilled enough, you can point and name a koi you come across. The first thing you will see is the color, followed by the pattern, and later the scales. The koi colors are yellow, black, blue, white, red, and green. The only exception to this is the ogon which is of pure color. The rest is a mixture of these colors. The pattern is the next thing you will observe from the photo. Again a koi type has its unique pattern. The next to check is the scale. There are only two types of koi when it comes to the scales. Those that are partially scaled and those that are not. Those without are called doitsu.

Now, how would you know if it is a real koi? Other fishes may share the same trait so a really good inspection is needed to confirm if it is a koi or not. Perhaps one obvious thing to check is the size. Try to make estimates in the photograph. You are lucky if it is a fully grown one since an adult koi would reach up to 3 feet in length. This should make it easier to distinguish from regular fish. Try to also check the colors and pattern that the fish has.

So, if you confirm that the koi in the photo is a koi, you need to know now if it meets the standards to be called a koi. A koi can be bred and be called as such but that does not necessarily mean it is a true koi. The colors have to be deep in hue, a light hue will give it away as a disqualified koi. Check also the definition of the color edges if these are clear. The standard koi would have color markings that are patterned symmetrically.

In relation to the deepness of the color, a light color indicates that the koi is in pure health. The colors will have to be dark especially for dark colors. The last thing to check is the age of the koi. As the fish ages, the patterns begin to fade. A koi that has been properly grown would meet all the standards of a true koi but these standards begin to fade away with age.

So, now that you know the basics, you can try them out. And at least now, you know what information to ask for when buying a koi.

Answers To Your Queries On Aquarium Thermometer Gadgets

Keeping aquariums in the house is a trend and a hobby as well. People enjoy keeping fish since fish always portray sign of life in a house. Fish are colorful beings and their movement in the aquarium causes a lovely oxygen bubbles scene. They give such lively effects that one can hardly get his or her eyes off their tank. Fish swimming without any noise in the house gives a soothing effect too. Well, the fish-tank management is no doubt the best hobby and activity, but it is not that easy at all. You have to ensure the safety of your animals by buying an Aquarium Thermometer.

Otherwise they may die of extreme heat after sometime. Managing tank temperatures in an aquarium is as important as feeding the animals properly. If the temperature in the aquarium does not suit to that of fish body, they will immediately die. This seems to be a difficult task when it comes to checking heat levels again and again.

Well, to make life easier for these cold-blooded pets, aquarium thermometer has been introduced in the market. This is a digital thermometer that helps you control the temperature inside an aquarium. The following questions and answers guide could help you.

How does it work? - Well it is one of the easiest and simplest scales to read out the accurate temperature of your aquarium. You can install the gadget and remove it when you want. You need to buy one and then figure out at what place you need it located. Try to keep that away from any other filter or anything in the aquarium. In addition, try to place it where it can provide quick view. Then, check the instructions of the thermometer that you have bought since all the models have been designed differently. For a digital one, install its batteries or charger.

Are digital thermometers and heaters the same thing? - Well these are not the same things. Thermometer only tells you the temperature count in the aquarium.

Are digital thermometers accurate? - Digital thermometers provide you a high degree of accuracy. These are accurate to one tenth of a degree.

Do I need to check it regularly or it is not that important to stay updated with the reading? - Well, it would be good to check the readings regularly in order to maintain the temperature inside. Many brands are offering their thermometers with alarm as well, which would sound when the temperature crosses the set degree.

Is it technical in reading the temperature on aquarium thermometer? - The aquarium thermometers are designed easy-to-read appliances. These gadgets have the reading straight written, and you only have to place them at a point where you can read easily and accurately. Nevertheless, as far as a regular thermometer is concerned, you have to check if the reading is in green area or not. The green area symbolizes the out-of-danger situation.

Can the heater and aquarium thermometer be placed together? - Yes you can safely place them together. Both of these devices are to be placed inside the aquarium together or far apart.